When the Rockies gathered for the first time as a team in the theater room at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick in Arizona, Weiss kept his message concise.

“Look around at the talent in this room,” Weiss said. “We can compete.”

He didn’t need an overhead projector. He could have tweeted it in 140 characters. Weiss is bigger on integrity than hyperbole, and admitted he would have couched his confidence if he didn’t think his team could contend.

Nearly five months later, the Rockies sit 4½ games back in the National League West, a division they have never won, in large part because of three players. Monday, all-stars Carlos Gonzalez, Troy Tulowitzki and Michael Cuddyer were stationed side by side in the Jackie Robinson Rotunda at Citi Field during media access. The media wandered by periodically, taking interest in fragments of their stories, not unlike the Rockies themselves.

Colorado has a losing record, but a realistic chance of winning its division. NL manager Bruce Bochy’s lineup offers an explanation why. For the first time ever, three Rockies are starting in the Midsummer Classic.

“We were talking about it before we came here. This is a blast for us. To be part of something that’s new, to start something for a franchise, that’s special,” said Gonzalez, who is making his second consecutive all-star appearance. “The NL West has been crazy since Day One this year. We are still hanging around. It’s going to be a very interesting second half. I will tell you that.”

Only one other team — the Baltimore Orioles — can match the Rockies’ three starters. When Weiss agreed to take over the Rockies, he envisioned an offense that conjured up images of the 1990s. He wanted to re-establish home-field dominance.

That’s where the three-headed monster of CarGo, Tulo and Cuddyer come into play. They have combined for 57 home runs.

This takes on a greater meaning with the Rockies beginning a 10-game homestand after the all-star break against three teams with losing records: the Cubs, Marlins and Brewers.

“We have a chance to get some momentum going,” Tulowitzki said.

Colorado’s neighbors have kept them relevant — Arizona can’t make up its mind if it’s a contender, Los Angeles is still trying to order its bullpen and San Francisco scores about as often as the Jets.

But does that matter?

Colorado is in it. The All-Star Game doesn’t have to be the season’s highlight, Cuddyer insisted. Remember, he was the guy who showed up in spring training with 200 purple dry-fit shirts that read “Beat Their (Butts)” on the front and “Not our Own” on the back.

“Last year we had a lot of expectations, too. Injuries decimated us. (Jhoulys) Chacin getting hurt, not having (Jorge) De La Rosa for the whole year, Tulo going down in May. I missed two months (with oblique injuries). Once we got that losing feeling, that negative vibe, it was hard to overcome,” Cuddyer said. “It was really easy to forget about last year and wash it away. We got off to a hot start. We got through some tough injuries, and now we are in a good spot.”

When Tulo signed a seven-year, $134 million extension that carries him through the 2020 season, it inspired Gonzalez to follow suit. He’s under contract for four more years. Cuddyer, a favorite of ownership and teammates alike, will be a free agent after next season. The three stars are central to the team’s offense and leadership.

In his second year in Colorado, Cuddyer’s presence is more noticeable. Always a fan favorite because of his hustle, Cuddyer is a rudder in the clubhouse, which is why his selection to the NL starting lineup thrilled teammates.

“He’s one of the most underrated players in the game,” Tulo said. “Getting him here and in the home run derby maybe that’s what pushes him over the the top to become a household name.”

Tulowitzki remains committed to starting Tuesday despite playing just three games since returning from the disabled list. He cracked his fifth right rib June 13, and it’s still sore. He went 0-for-9 against the Dodgers, but contributed with a sacrifice fly and solid defense.

“I feel healthy. Coming back, I didn’t play like I wanted to, but I was out there helping. My ribs are OK. There’s nothing holding me back. I will be careful,” Tulowitzki said. “And if something comes up, I will let them know.”

None of the Rockies is naive. All mentioned the importance of pitching if the team is to make a second-half push. It’s why the Dodgers series resonated, given the performances of Juan Nicasio, Tyler Chatwood and Chacin.

The Rockies, so often reluctant members of baseball’s witness relocation program, have a chance. The NL lineup can be debated, but the Rockies’ presence can’t be ignored.

“I enjoy playing in New York. Maybe it’s the big stage. I enjoy the big markets. Maybe we will do something that will make people want to watch,” Tulo witzki said. “Maybe they will notice that we have some pretty good players in Colorado.”

Troy is a former Denver Broncos and Colorado Rockies beat writer for The Denver Post. He joined the news organization in 2002 as the Rockies' beat writer and became a Broncos beat writer in 2014 before assuming the lead role ahead of the 2015 season. He left The Post in 2015.

More in Sports

Big Sunday at the sold-out PC, where the Avalanche never trailed in a 5-1 victory over Detroit. Given the score and the circumstance, our game story is all about Nathan MacKinnon and his Hart Trophy candidacy.